Method and apparatus for transporting hydrocarbon liquids



Search mom Oct. 20, 1936. A.- H. RINEY ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FORTRANSPORTING HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS Filed Feb. 17, 1934 Patented Oct, 20,1936 UNITED STATES Sealh nooit PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FORTRANS- PORTING HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS Arthur H. Riney and Lloyd T. Gibbs,Bartlesville,

Okla., assignors to Phillips Petroleum Gompany, Bartlesville, Okla., acorporation of Dela- Ware Application February 17, 1934, Serial No.711,814

22 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in methods and apparatusused at pumping stations along pipe lines for the transportation ofcrude oil.

The principal object of the invention is to provide methods andapparatus whereby pipe line pumping stations for the transportation ofsubstantially gas free hydrocarbon fluids may be more economicallyoperated than has been done heretofore.

Practically all crude oil contains at least a small amount of free gas.For instance, when a new field is discovered and the flush oil is takenfrom this field, a considerable amount of entrained gas may be presentin the crude oil being transported. The prior patent art suggeststrapping out the necessary amount of entrained gas required for theoperation of pumping stations if such gas is present. However, after afield has reached a settled basis, the amount of free gas is anextremely negligible quantity. Furthermore, some oils transported bypipe lines are those which have been in storage tanks for a considerableperiod of time, in which case the oil is termed dead oil containing nogases. Therefore, under the average pumping conditions it has not beenpossible to trap out the necessary amount of gas required for theoperation of the pumping stations unless considerable effort is putforth to deliberately introduce free gas into the pipe line.

On most crude pipe line systems the oil pumped thru the line containsvarious amounts of hydrocarbon fluids which can very easily betransformed into gases. Portions of these hydrocarbon uids are usuallylost before any use can be made from same, due to the weathering effecton crude oil when standing in storage tanks. By our invention these uidsare used to produce power for pumping the crude oil so that the cost offuel at the pumping stations is practically negligible.

Another object of the present invention is to provide pumping stationmethods and apparatus which are flexible, so to speak, in that gaseousfuel may be obtained from any of these products being transported andespecially from hydrocarbon uids containing insucient free or dissolvedgases, for operation of the pumping stations. This is in partaccomplished by taking from the crude oil, hydrocarbon fluids (of thatcharacter which are apt to be lost due to the weathering e'ect on crudeoil while standing in storage tanks) and changing such iiuids into agaseous state under proper control so that they can be easily liqueiedfor storage purposes and subsequently vaporized for fuel purposes asneeded,

A further object of the invention is to utilize the heat incident tooperation of internal combustion engines which operate the pumps of thepumping station, to vaporize or assist in the vaporization of thehydrocarbon fluids hereinbefore mentioned, so that they may be used asfuel, preferably but not necessarily, in said internal combustionengines. This heat, incident to operation of the internal combustionengines, may be that absorbed by the water of the cooling system of theengines or that which prevails in the exhaust of the engines, or both.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a pipe line fuel systemusing internal combustion engines, apparatus and steps in the methodwhereby water used to cool the engines is conserved by flowing in aclosed circuit and the heat, incident to operation of the engines,absorbed by the water utilized to raise the temperature of the oil beingtreated to separate or to assist in the separation of the hydrocarbonfluids hereinbefore mentioned, therefrom, and/or assist in convertingthe liquefied gases in storage to a gaseous phase for use in theinternal combustion engines.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in thefollowing detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic view of one form ofapparatus suitable for use in practicing the method.

A main pipe line L is shown adjacent a pumping station S which may bethe initial station or any intermediate station along the pipe line.

The portion of the main pipe line L shown, comprises an incoming oilsection 3, a station bypass 4 and an outgoing oil section 5.

The pump station S includes, in the example* shown, a station take-offline 6 having communication with the sections 3 and 5 of the main pipeline L; main pumps 'I and 8, and internal combustion engines 9 and I0for operating the pumps 1 and 8 respectively, said engines provided witha fuel supply apparatus II, a cooling system I2 and an exhaust deliverymeans I3.

As to the take-off line 6, it comprises a suction section I4, adischarge section I5, pump takeoiT sections I6 and I1 and pump by-passsections I 8 and I9 for the pumps 'I and 8, respectively. The main pipeline L has a valve 20 for control of the station by-pass 4, while thestation take-off line 6 has a valve 2I in its suction section I4, avalve 22 in its discharge section I5, valves 23 and 24 for control ofthe pump bypass sections I8 and I9, respectively, valves 25 and 26 inthe suction sides 21 and 28 and valves 29 and 38 in the discharge sides3| and 32 of the pump take-off sections I6 and |1, respectively. This iscommon practice and may be varied to meet the particular problemspresented in petroleum engineering.

In the suction section |4 there is preferably provided a heater or heatexchange device 33 which may be used to heat the crude oil entering thestation take-off line 6 and preferably to cool water of the coolingsystem |2 as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The fuel supply apparatus preferably includes a gasifying tank orreceiving vessel 34; a vacuum pump or compressor 35; a condenser 36; apressure storage vessel 31; and a heater or heat exchange device 38,which like device 33 may be used to cool the Water of the cooling systemI2.

Preferably on the delivery side of heater 33 a pipe 39, in which valves48 and 4| are located, leads to the bottom of the receiving tank 34 fordelivery of crude oil, preferably heated by device 33, to the receivingtank. 'Ihe valve 40 is preferably hand operated to afford communicationbetween the source of crude oil and the receiving tank 34, or to closeoff communication as when there is a suicient supply of fuel in pressuretank 31. Valve 4| is preferably oat operated as by any of the well knownfloat devices 42 operatively connected to valve 4| so as to maintain aliquid level well below the top 43 of tank 34, as indicated at line 44and to provide a vapor space 45. This space 45 may be held atatmospheric pressure or less when withdrawing vapors from the crude oilin the receiving tank 34 by operation of pump 35 in pump line 46 havingits ingress end 41 open to the upper portion of tank 34 and itsdischarge end 48 connected to a chamber of condensor 36. A Valve 49 isplaced in pipe line 46 between the ingress end 41 thereof and the pump35 to close olf communication with the pump 35 as when withdrawingresidue oil from the lower portion of tank 34. The other end ofcondensor 36 is, by pipe 50, connected to the pressure storage tank 31.The pump 35 may act as a compressor to liquefy or aid in liquefying thegases collected from the vapor space 45 and the condensor 36 may be usedto remove the heat of compression and any heat absorbed by the gasesincident to heating of the crude oil in the receiving tank ashereinafter described, and to aid in liquefying gases which are storedin tank 31. The chamber of condensor 36 may be cooled in any suitablemanner as by -water circulating thru another chamber in closeproximityto the gas or liquid being treated, or by air, the currents ofwhich may be augmented by an electric fan.

The liquid in tank 31 is used as fuel for the engines 9 and I0 by againvaporizing or gasifying it in heater 38. To this end the tank 31 hascommunication with one chamber of heat exchange device 38 thru pipe 5|,the exit end of the chamber having communication with the enginecylinders thru pipe 52 and manifolds 53 and 54.

The residue oil left in tank 34 is removed thru pipe line 55 having itsintake end 56 open to the lower portion of tank 34 and its discharge end51 open preferably to the suction section |4 of the station take-offline 6, there being provided a suitable valve 58 in the pipe line 55 soas to close it from direct communication with the line 6 when sodesired.

We may prefer to provide a pump 59 with valves 60 and 6| to each sidethereof, in pipe line 55 to pump or assist in returning the residue oilto the station take-olf line 6, or elsewhere, however, in most cases,the main pumps 1 and 8 may function to withdraw the residue from tank34.

The making of gas or the separation of vapors from the crude oil in tank34 is preferably accomplished or assisted by heat, incident to operationof the engines 9 and I0, absorbed by the water of cooling system |2, orcarried by the exhaust gases thru exhaust delivery means I3, or both andby conduction and convection transmitted to the crude oil in the tank34. For the time being it suffices to say that there is preferablyprovided in the lower portion of tank 34, a pipe, (preferably a coil) 62for hot water and a pipe 63 for exhaust gases of engines 1 and 8 so thatthese pipes may be used to conduct the heat of the water or gasespassing thru them and by which heat is transmitted to the body of crudeoil in the tank 34 by convection, that is, the heated layer near thepipes expands and becoming less dense, rises in accordance with the lawof gravity, to be replaced by the heavier layer, above it, which risesagain in turn, until the crude oil is freed of its lighter constituents.

The cooling system |2 is preferably what may well be termed a closedsystem, in that the water is not exposed to the atmosphere as is quitecommon where water towers are used or where radiators with overilowpipes are used adjacent the engine. The system is particularlyadvantageous where water is scarce. From the cooling chambers of theengines 9 and I0, which may be of any ordinary or approved construction,the hot water is withdrawn or circulated preferably by pump 64, theintake 65 of which has communication with the said cooling chambers ofengines 9 and I0 by pipes 66 and 61, respectively. The egress end 68 ofpump 64 has communication with the other chamber of heat exchange device38 so that heat absorbed by the water may in part be used to vaporize orgasify the liqueed gas being fed to the engines 9 and I0. From heater 38a pipe 69 leads, in the example shown, to a two-way valve 10 the exitports of which have communication, one as thru pipe 1| with intake end12 of coil 62 in tank 34 and the other, as thru pipe 13, with theentrance end 15 of water chamber of heater or heat exchange device 33.The exit end 14 of coil 62 has communication with pipe 13. Bymanipulation of valve 10 the Water from pipe 69 may be directed intopipe 1| as shown in the drawing so as to circulate thru coil 12 and giveup some of its heat by conduction and convection, as previouslydescribed, or the valve 16 may be turned to by-pass the liquid more orless direct to heater 33 thru pipe 13 as is obvious from the drawing.The exit end 16 of water chamber of heater 33 is connected as by pipe 11and branches 18 and 19 leading to the cooling chambers of engines 9 and|ll. By this closed system, the water may be circulated over and overagain with a conservation of water not possible with open systems.

It is thus to be observed that the water of the cooling system |2 maygive up the heat it has absorbed by passing thru the engines; rst, inpart to vaporize or gasify the fuel flowing to the engines; second, inpart to assist in the treatment of the crude oil in tank 34; and, third,in part to heat the crude oil in the station take-off line 6 andincidentally preheat that which may go to the tank 34. If the oil is ofsuch nature as to require no heating while in tank 34, in

order to remove desirable constituents thereof, the water may be shuntedaround coil 62 as previously described, since the heaters or heatexchange devices 33 and 38 may be of sufcient capacity to cool the waterwithout the necessity of its giving up some of its heat in tank 34.

Now as to the exhaust delivery means i3, it may include a two-way valve80, the intake side 8l of which has communication with the exhaustmanifolds 82 and 83 of engines 9 and I0 thru pipe 84 and branches 85 and86, respectively. One exit side 81 of valve 80 has communication withthe atmosphere thru pipe 88, as shown in the drawing and the other exitside 89 may be connected to the pipe 63 which extends thru the lowerportion of tank 34 and is also open to the atmosphere. Valve may bemoved to direct the hot exhaust gases thru pipe 63 as is obvious from aninspection of the drawing and thus use heat carried by the exhaust togasify or vaporize hydrocarbon fluids in the crude oil which aresubsequently to be used as fuel in the engine.

In the operation of the apparatus, assuming that it is desired toaccumulate or replenish the supply of liquefied gas in pressure storagetank 31, valve 40 is opened to run a quantity of the crude oil from themain pipe line into the receiving tank 34, preferably altho notnecessarily after it has first passed thru heat exchange destoragepurposes, or this liquecation may take l place in the condensor 36.After the lighter hydrocarbon fluids have been removed, the residue ispreferably pumped back into the line as by the operation of pump 59 orby the main pumps 1 and 8.

The compositions of the hydrocarbons drawn from the oil can becontrolled by the amount of heat and the amount of pressure or vacuumapplied to the oil in the receiving tank 34 so that the B. t. u. contentand other characteristics of the hydrocarbon uids can be controlled togive proper fuel or gas for the internal combustion engines. If it isdesired to heat theoil in tank 34 to over F., the exhaust gases of theengines may be passed thru pipe 63 since they may be at a temperature ofover 500 F., whereas the water temperature of system l2 might not exceedF. It will thus be seen that by the proper operation of the pump 35 andthe proper setting of valves 10 and 80, control may be had to obtaingases of the character that can be easily liquefied for storage purposesand very easily vaporized for fuel purposes, as needed.

We claim:

1. That method of transporting substantially gas free hydrocarbonliquids thru pipe lines which comprises withdrawing a portion of thehydrocarbon liquids from the pipe line, vaporizing and removing aportion of the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids, admixing the residueof the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with the hydrocarbon liquidsbeing transported, and utilizing the removed vapors to operate pumpingequipment for transporting the hydrocarbon liquids thru the pipe line. v

2. The method of transporting substantially' gas free hydrocarbonliquids thru pipe lines which comprises, withdrawing a portion of thehydrocarbon liquids from vthe pipe line, subjecting the ldrawn oil?portion of hydrocarbon liquids to a vacuum to remove vapors therefrom,admixing the residue of the vthus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with thehydrocarbon liquids being transported, and utilizing the removed vaporsto operate pumping equipment for transporting the hydrocarbon liquidsthru the pipe line.

3. The method of transporting substantially gas free hydrocarbon liquidsthru pipe lines which comprises, withdrawing a portion of thehydrocarbon liquids from the pipe line, subjecting the drawnpoi portionsof hydrocarbon liquids to heat so as to remove vapors therefrom,admixing the residue of the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with thehydrocarbon liquids being transported, and utilizing the removed vaporsto operate pumping equipment for transporting the hydrocarbon liquidsthru the pipe line.

4. The method of transporting substantially gas free hydrocarbon liquidsthru pipe lines which comprises, subjecting a drawn off portion ofhydrocarbon liquids to heatand to a vacuum, to remove vapors therefrom,admixing the residue of thefthus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with thehydrocarbon liquids being transported, and utilizing the removed vaporsto operate pumping equipment for transporting the hydrocarbon liquidsthru the pipe line.

5. In the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines usinginternal combustion engine operated pumps, those steps which consist inwithdrawing a portion of the hydrocarbon liquids from the pipe line,subjecting the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids to the heat producedby yoperation of ,the internal combustion engine to vaporize portions ofthe hydrocarbon liquids, removing the vapors, admixing the residue ofthe thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with the hydrocarbon liquidsbeing transported, and utilizing the removed vapors to operate theinternal combustion engine.

' 6. In the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines usinginternal combustion engine operated pumps, those steps which consist inwithdrawing a portion of the hydrocarbon liquids from the pipe line,subjecting the thus drawn oif hydrocarbon liquids to the hot exhaustgases of 50 the internal combustion engine so vthat portions of the'hydrocarbon liquids are vaporized by heat conduction and convection,removing the vapors, admixing the residue of the thus drawn offhydrocarbon liquids with the hydrocarbon vliquids being transported, andutilizing the removed vapors .to operate the internal combustion engine.

7. In the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines usingwater cooled internal combustion engine operated pumps, those stepswhich consist in withdrawing a portion of the hydrolcarbon liquids fromthe pipe line, subjecting the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids to theheat absorbed by the cooling water of the internal combustion engineduring the operation of the engine, so that portions of the hydrocarbonliquids are at least in part vaporized by the heat, and the temperatureof the cooling liquid reduced, removing the vapors, admixing the residueof the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with the hydrocarbon liquidsbeing transported, and utilizing the removed vapors to operate theinternal combustion engine 8. The method of transporting substantiallygas free hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines which ner comprises,vaporizing and removing a portion of the hy-drocarbon liquids from thepipe line, liquefying and storing the thus removed vapors, andsubsequently gasifying and utilizing said liquefied vapors to operatepumping equipment for forcing the hydrocarbon liquids thru the pipeline.

9. In the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines usingWater cooled internal combustion engine operated pumps, those stepswhich consist in withdrawing a portion of the hydrocarbon liquids fromthe pipe line, vaporizing and removing a portion of the thus drawn offhydrocarbon liquids, liquefying and storing the thus removed vapors asfuel, gasifying the liquefied fuel by subjecting the same to heatabsorbed by the water of the internal combustion engine, and utilizingthe gasified fuel to operate the internal combustion engine of the pump.

10. The method of transporting substantially gas free hydrocarbonliquids thru pipe lines which consists in vaporizing and removing aportion of the hydrocarbon liquids from the pipe line and utilizing theremoved vapors to operate pumping equipment for forcing the residuehydrocarbon liquids from which said vapors have been removed, thru thepipe line.

11. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of aninternal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuatesame, provided with a fuel supply apparatus and a Water cooling system,said fuel supply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receivingsome of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported, and a vacuum pumpoperatively connected with the gasifying tank to subject the liquidtherein to a vacuum and draw off fuel vapors for use in the internalcombustion engine; and, said cooling system including a device in saidgasifying tank thru which the water of the cooling system flows after ithas absorbed heat of the engine to assist in vaporizing hydrocarbonliquids in said tank.

12. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of aninternal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuatesame, provided with a fuel supply apparatus and a water cooling system,said fuel supply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receivingsome of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported wherein fuel vaporsare removed from said liquids, a pressure storage tank for the fuel inliquefied phase and a heat exchange device for gasifying the liquid fuelfor use in the internal combustion engine; and, said cooling systemhaving connection with said heat exchange device for ow of watertherethru, after it has absorbed heat of the engine, and so as to giveup at least some of the heat in gasifying the liquefied fuel,

13. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of aninternal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuatesame, provided with a fuel supply apparatus and a water cooling system,said fuel supply apparatus including a gasifying tank for receiving someof the hydrocarbon liquids being transported and to separate therefromfuel vapors; and, said cooling system including a device in saidgasifying tank thru which the water of the cooling system flows after ithas absorbed heat of the engine to vaporize hydrocarbon liquids in thetank.

14. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of aninternal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuatesame, provided with a fuel supply apparatus and a water cooling system,sai-d fuel supply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receivingsome of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported wherein fuel vaporsare removed from said liquids, a pressure storage tank f-or the fuel inliquefied phase and a heat exchange device for gasifying the liquid fuelfor use in the internal combustion engine; and, said cooling systemhaving connection with said heat exchange device for flow of watertherethru after it has absorbed heat of the engine and so as to give upsome of the heat in gasifying the liquefied fuel, and including a devicein said gasifying tank thru which the Water flows after it has given upsome of its heat at said heat exchange device, to assist in vaporizinghydrocarbon liquids in said tank.

15. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with the main pipe line, station take-off lineand station pump in said take-off line, of a heat exchange device insaid take-off line between the main pipe line and pump, an internalcombustion engine for operating the pump, and a fuel supply apparatusand water cooling system for the internal combustion engine, sai-d fuelsupply apparatus including a gasifying tank for receiving some of thehydrocarbon liquids being transported wherein fuel vapors are removedfrom said liquids, and said cooling system including a device in saidtank thru which water of the cooling system flows after it has absorbedheat of the engine, said device also having connection with the saidheat exchange device, whereby the liquid in the station take-off line isalso heated and the Water cooled before again circulating thru theengine.

16. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with the main pipe line, station take-oif lineand station pump in said take-off line, of a heat exchange device insaid take-.off line between the main pipe line and pump, an internalcombustion engine for operating the pump, and a fuel supply apparatusand water cooling system for the internal combustion engine, said fuelsupply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receiving some of thehydrocarbon liquids being transported, wherein fuel vapors are removedfrom said liquids, a pressure storage tank for the fuel in liquid phase,and a heat exchange device for gasifying the liquid fuel for use in theinternal combustion engine; and, said cooling system having connectionwith said heat exchange devices for flow of water therethru after it hasabsorbed heat of the engine to heat hydrocarbon liquids in the stationtake-olf line and the liquid fuel from the storage tank.

17. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with a main pipe line, station take-off line andstation pump in said take-off line, of a heat exchange device in saidtake-off line between the main pipe line and pump, an internalcombustion engine for operating the pump, and a fuel supply apparatusand water cooling system for the internal combustion engine, said fuelsupply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receiving some of thehydrocarbon liquids being transported wherein fuel vapors are removedfrom said liquids, a pressure storage tank for the fuel in liquid phase,and a heat exchange device for gasifying the liquid fuel for use in theinternal combustion engine; and, said cooling system including a devicein said gasifying tank thru which Water of the cooling system flows andsaid water in said circuit passing thru both said heat exchange devicesand said device in the gasifying tank, after it has absorbed heat of theinternal combustion engine.

18. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with the main pipe line, station take-off lineand station pump in said take-off line, of a heat exchange device insaid take-olf line between the main pipe line and pump, an internalcombustion engine for operating the pump, and a fuel supply apparatusand water cooling system for the internal combustion engine, said fuelsupply apparatus including a gasifying tank operatively connected tosaid station take-off line between said heat exchange device and pumpfor receiving hydrocarbon liquids therefrom and wherein fuel vapors areremoved from said liquids for use in said internal combustion engine;and, said cooling system having connection with said heat eX- changedevice for oW of Water therethru after it has absorbed the heat of theengine and so as to give up at least some of the heat in heating thehydrocarbon liquids.

19. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of aninternal combustion engine for operating the pump and fuel supplyapparatus for the engine, said fuel supply apparatus comprisingy agasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids beingtransported, a vacuum pump operatively connected with the tank tosubject the liquid therein to a vacuum and draw oi fuel vapors for usein the internal combustion engine, a pressure storage tank havingconnection with said vacuum pump for storage of the fuel in liquidphase, and a heat exchange device operatively connected to said pressurestorage tank ,and the engine for gasifying the liquefied fuel.

20. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of aninternal combustion engine for operating the pump and fuel supplyapparatus for the engine, said fuel supply apparatus comprising agasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids beingtransported, a vacuum pump operatively connected with the tank tosubject the liquid therein to a vacuum and draw oif fuel vapors for usein the internal combustion engine,

a condenser connected to said pump for changing the fuel from a vapor toa liquid phase, a pressure storage tank having connection with saidcondenser for receiving the liquid fuel, and a heat exchange deviceoperatively connected to said pressure storage tank and the engine forgasifying the liquid fuel.

21. In apparatus-for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of aninternal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuatesame, provided with a fuel supply apparatus, a water cooling system andan exhaust discharge means, said fuel supply apparatus including agasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids beingtransported and wherein fuel vapors are removed from said liquids foruse in the internal combustion engine; said cooling system including adevice in said gasifying tank thru which the water of the cooling systemmay selectively flow after it has absorbed heat of the engine to atleast assist in vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids in said tank; and saidexhaust delivery means including a device in said gasifying tank thruwhich the hot exhaust gases in the engine may selectively flow to atleast assist in vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids in said tank.

22. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipelines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of aninternal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuatesame, provided with a fuel supply apparatus, a Water cooling system andan exhaust discharge means, said fuel supply apparatus comprising agasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids beingtransported and -Wherein fuel vapors are removed from said liquids foruse in the internal combustion engine, and a vacuum pump operativelyconnected With the gasifying tank to draw off fuel vapors therefrom foruse in the internal combustion engine; said cooling system including adevice in said gasifying tank thru which the water of the cooling systemmay selectively flow after it has absorbed heat of the engine to atleast assist in vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids in said tank; and, saidexhaust delivery means including a device in said gasifying tank thruwhich the hot exhaust gases of the engine may selectively flow to atleast assist in vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids in said tank. f

ARTHUR H. RINEY. LLOYD T. GIBBS.

